Here are a couple of recent discussion that should answer some of your questions.
http://www.montanaowners.com/forums/...erms=regulator
http://www.montanaowners.com/forums/...erms=regulator
Neither of them address the problem of knowing how full each tank might be. But if you subscribe to the idea of leaving both tanks Open, watching the regulator to see when the primary tank goes empty (red flag in the regulator), switching the lever to the other tank, and filling the now empty tank in a day or so, you will not really have to worry about running out. Experience will teach you how long a tank lasts for you depending on the temperature, and how much you are using the propane appliances.